MPC suggestions for a Zephyr Alto.

[mr00420]

I'm going back to the U.S. for a few weeks in July-Aug. and am planning on getting another MPC while I'm there, since they're prohibitively expensive here in Japan. My usual set up on my Zephyr 323xxx Alto is a Lakey 6*3 w/ La Voz med. reeds and I forget the brand of ligature I've been using since I was in highschool I think (it's solid piece of black p/leather held with one screw-pin through two bars.) I also use a Meyer 5 med., but like the Lakey best for what I like to play.

I know a lot of people are probably against both of my choice MPCs (not a NY Meyer,) but they work very well for me. Though I practice more straight-ahead jazz, my true style is more in the avant-garde school. I really have very few control problems w/ my Lakey. The reason I like it so much is that it blows very freely, is easy to change tone/voice on, and hits multi-phonics nicely.

I'm basically looking for something w/ similar qualities in either hard rubber or metal. I tried a dukoff and I think a guardala when I bought the horn, but I have to say I didn't like either (but I only tried one of each, and I know they're supposed to be hit or miss.) I saw the suggestions for the Zephyr special, but they all seem pretty much be-bop set-ups. I guess what works well on S20s should also be compatible since the body tubes and necks are basically the same.

I remember when I bought the horn and asked to try out some metal mpcs, the dealer said, "You wanna' play a metal mpc on a VINTAGE horn?!? No you don't...." I know that a narrow chamber mpc kind of negates the depth of the sound of vintage horn, but I've seen plenty of guys using them on older horns.... Are the only vintage horns that they work well on Selmers

[Bootman]

Try a Yani metal, I have had success in the past on a Super 20 with one of these mpcs. It was the only thing thatreally worked well as far as ease of intonation, projection and ease of playing. I would also look into a JJ ESP or standard model. These mpcs play very well on vintage horns.

[mr00420]

Yani as in Yanigisawa or is it another brand? The Jody Jazz ESP/ standard are metal mpcs?

[MarkD]

... Yani as in Yanigisawa or is it another brand? The Jody Jazz ESP/ standard are metal mpcs?

1) Yes, Yani as in Yanigisawa.

2) The ESP Alto Gold is a very fine metal mouthpiece. The standard Jody Jazz mouthpieces are HR. You should check out the web site: http://www.JodyJazz.com . Jody is a great person to deal with.

I purchased an ESP Alto Gold for myself and another one for my son from Jody (the 0.078 and 0.074 tips respectively) - and they both play great.

[mr00420]

Thanks for the info. Those JJs are pretty ugly, but I suppose they play better than they look. $300 for a 24k gold mpc?!? I don't have a money tree, so I don't think I'll go that route (wonder if they'd even let you try one out in the shop for that price!)

What about more standard brands of metal MPCs or even HRs? I've never even tried out a mpc w/ a spoiler... does it just make it louder or brighter or what? I'm o.k. w/ spending some money for a mpc if I really like it, but $300 is just too much I think. What do you need a gold-plated mpc for anyway? I doubt gold makes much of a difference in sound quality compared to other quality metals.

[MarkD]

Yes, $300 is a lot for a mouthpiece. But when I add up the price of the 3 other mouthpieces that I bought and didn't like then the $300 that I spent on the JJ ESP Alto Gold that I love is not a lot at all. The JJ ESP Alto Gold plays incredibly well.

As far as other mpcs you might try, you could try the metal Yani or HR JJs (they come in black too!) or a Runyon.

There's another thread that you might want to check in Polls and Surveys called: "Worst Mouthpiece(s) Ever?" http://saxontheweb.myforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=3147

In the end only you can decide for yourself. For me the JodyJazz ESP ALto Gold was the right choice.

[shmuelyosef]

I play a zephyr alto...currently I am using one of the NY Limited edition Meyer's that JVW modified and opened up a little (about an 8 now)...my Zephyr has plastic domed oversized resos and this setup is good. With the previous flat resos I used to use a Morgan 7E (medium chamber) and found it to be very flexible...it was a little too bright, however, with the bigger resos.

[Honeyboy]

Save yourself some money and get a Runyon smoothbore metal. I use one very succesfully on a '36 Zephyr. Plays in tune well, great tone.

[shmuelyosef]

The Morgans are a pretty good deal if you get one of the B stock from JunkDude www.junkdude.com...an alto Excalibur can be had for about $100. These are handfaced and my experience has been very consistent.